Monday, September 28, 2009

Moments of Clarity

I love when those moments of clarity happen and you figure out what the story really is that you were writing about. Not that I didn't know the basics, villan, hero, subplots (sort of discover as I go) who committed the murders and why. What I didn't have perfectly clear was why Ande tries so hard to solve the murders and puts herself in danger. True, she has an elf and some fairy ghosts harrassing her to do it and she wants the department's respect.

But she has this self-respect thing, or lack of, going on that drives her without her even knowing.(Not giving away exactly how and why just yet-Spoilers), but it makes her actions more clear for me and hopefully will make sense to the readers.

I have found that when I read a really good article or take a short online course, or even see a bizarre news story, something can snap into place in the piece I'm writing. I do read urban fantasy while I'm writing it, but other things too. They don't trigger ideas the same way because I'm not applying them to my own story, I'm too caught up in theirs.

Now, time to write what I need to with so many people in the house-another story all together.

Friday, September 25, 2009

When Worlds Collide

I heard about the most horrific thing on the BBC news. It was about the albinos in Africa who are being slaughtered because albinos supposedly bring good luck. 40 of them murdered and mutilated just this year. Why? Because a witch doctor said a potion containing Albino skin or other albino pieces, brings riches and good fortune. That leads random groups to go out, find an albino, attack him with knives and take away parts. Obviously, the good fortune did not extend to the albinos.

However, it did give me a good idea for "Dead Fairies" and the murderer's motivation. No, there is not a witch doctor in it. But the idea clarified some characterization for me.(That sounds sick and I don't mean disrespect to any families who lost loved ones.)

Then I read some writing tips from Jim Butcher and he made a lot of sense. See, it's never to late to learn, even for someone my advanced age. I love it when a book comes together and a theme occurs. The story is getting much darker, which is what I wanted.

Anyone else out there had any aha moments lately?

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

How Can You Tell?

How can you tell that your adult daughter and her two children have moved home?

Let me tell you.

1. Instead of fine bath oils in pretty containers on the edge of my tub, I have a bobble head kitty, a bobble head puppy, five pretty ponies, a tiny comb, a tiny brush and no tangles shampoo.

2. No fine wine and shrimp in my fridge, with two kids I have Capri Sun, OJ, Water and Gatorade.

3. The artful arrangement of small framed photos on my table in the living room. No more. Replaced by Crayons, markers, a journal, light Pen, Hannah Montana books, Tinkerbell coloring page, Goofy painting and more.

4. The Irish harp in the corner---Electric guitar.

5. Oh, and the butter container has a hole in the lid, cleverly shaped like a guitar pick.

6. No car in the garage, one houseful of furniture and a little girl's bicycle.

7. Horror films? Replaced by Hannah Montana and the Jonas brothers.

8. Office/ art studio, now the room of a fifteen year old boy, full of girl friend's pics. Pretty little girl.

Now, I love the kids and my daughter. It's wonderful to have grand kid time since they've been living in Houston. Just a culture shock to suddenly be using twice as much water, double the groceries, hungry football player in the house, nine year old girl too.

Life is more exciting, not a bad thing. both kids are a joy and my daughter tries to take care of me and cooked me dinner-way cool. Fun times ahead, high school football, girlfriends, boyfriends all that goes with it.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

It's Alive!

My new website is now live. It is http://www.carolshenold.com. Please come by and leave a comment. The designer, Dee Owens did a great job. She runs a promotional service personalized marketing service through her website, www.deeowens.com. She has years of publishing business experience and is also a writer. Easy and fun to work with.

I love the dark look of the site and the contrast of the colors. Needless to say, I love the fairies, these are not your Tinker Belle Fairies.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Insults

The exchange between Churchill & Lady Astor:She said, "If you were my husband, I'd give you poison."He said, "If you were my wife, I'd drink it."

Do you remember when people used language to insult each other, rather than four letter words? No? Well it was before e-mail, voice mail, twitter and texting. It was in the olden days when people not only used real language but enjoyed it. No BFFs LOLing all over the place. There were real words then, strung together to mean something.

Insults could actually be humerous and still be cutting, subtle but unmistakable. Conye West couldn't have conceived of one because he's just rapping "In your face." Destroying happy moments for other people.

I'll be featuring some of those lost insults on the blog just for fun. See what you can come up with, both cleaver and cutting, humor is a must.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Guitar Hero Rocks and other things.


Still waiting on the website transfer, something about one domain accepting the change to another and no one wants to let go. Craziness, the wonderful world of website building. To be continued....


My daughter and two children have moved in, sisters still getting used to living in the same house together as I already had one grown daughter at home. Love having all my children in one town and spending time with my grandaughter, Hannah 9 going on 16. Too funny. We all went over to my son's house for dinner and played Guitar Hero. Stephen rocks, he's five and sings "No sleep til Bwookwyn!" at the top of his lungs. Hysterical. He "helped" Chris sing "Living on a Prayer." We all sang along, badly.


My daughter, Chris, will be singing at Java Daves, McArthur and Reno on September 25, a Friday. Come on down, she needs a crowd.


Writing hit a small snag with the move-in but will get back on track this week. I'm at 100 pages, not bad for me. Need to do more but dancing as fast as I can.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

New Site

I have a new website in progress. The domain name is now being transferred so stay tuned for the new site. Shortly after that I will be re-designing MySpace and Blogger. New things are down the line.

Writing is going well, around 4,000 words a week. I'm happy and the title for the WIP is "Dead Fairies."

My Houston daughter, Chris is coming home with her two kids, so my household will expand. Life will get exciting with one grade school and one high schooler in the house. Exciting times. I will be back with more info as soon as I have it.